"It's the beginning of the dialogue," said Andre Baker, one of three city school board members who were in attendance. "Just disappointed the mayor did not show up."

At issue is the city's willingness, and ability, to meet its minimum budget requirement to the school district for the 2014-15 fiscal year under state law. Not only does next year's school district operating budget depend on the city's contribution, but the current budget does as well.

The state agreed to spot the city $1.2 million it should have paid toward educating the city's 20,000-plus students on the condition the city meet its state-mandated minimum budget requirement going forward.

Last week, Finch released a 2014-15 budget plan that gives the district $1.4 million more next year, not the $4.4 million the district said will meet the MBR. State officials said Friday the figure is actually a little bit more than that.

Finch had also suggested that the city move about $8.2 million worth of in-kind services to the schools, including crossing guards and a city-operated after-school program, over to the school budget so that in-kind expenses will no longer be an issue.

"I don't think they can do that," Barnes said, going into Friday's meeting.